FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INTAKE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH OSTEOPENIA

INTRODUCTION: Adequate intake of fruits and vegetables as part of the daily diet could help prevent major non-communicable diseases including osteoporosis. Some nutrients abundant in fruits and vegetables have been shown to affect bone health. In the present study we evaluated fruit and vegetable intake in postmenopausal women with osteopenia who had referred to bone mineral densitometry center of Shariati hospital in Tehran.METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 51 healthy postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years. Bone mineral density was measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry at lumbar spine and total hip. All women were osteopenic according to WHO criteria. Food groups’ intake was assessed by 2 days 24 hour recall. Bone resorption was calculated by measuring carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type Ι collagen(crosslaps) and bone formation by measuring serum osteocalcin.RESULTS: No significant correlation was found for current food groups’ intake and bone mineral density at either lumbar spine or total hip. Fruit and vegetable intake was significantly negatively correlated with osteocalcin level (r = -0.4, P 0.001). Serum osteocalcin level in those who consumed more than 400 grams of fruit and vegetable daily was significantly lower than in the others (18±6.5 compared with 30±13.7, P 0.05).DISCUSSION: Increasing fruit and vegetable intake up to WHO recommendations for prevention of many chronic diseases can also be effective in prevention of osteoporosis and reducing fracture risk in postmenopausal osteopenic women. Intake of at least 400 grams off ruits and vegetables daily can complement what is currently recommended for osteoporosis prevention.